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RIVERS
Polochic
Situated west of the Izabal department, the Polochic
River makes a delta as it empties into Lake Atitlán,
creating a swamp with wildlife which is very well
adapted to the area. In addition to manatees and
sweet-water sharks, a great abundance and variety of
birds congregates here, especially in migration
season, making this is an excellent place for
bird-watchers.
Dulce
The drainage of Lake Izabal, in Amatique Bay, is a
waterway of about 19 miles long (30 km.). At several
points along the river there are hotels, airports, and
facilities for docking vessels, and some very
traditional Caribbean communities have first-class
hotels. The Dulce River, a natural canyon with
luxurious vegetation, is one of the most important
places in the region.
Samalá
This river of the Pacific basin is characterized by
its curly course, cascades, and falls.
San Pedro
A tributary of the Usumacinta. This river belongs to
the Gulf of Mexico basin.
Madre Vieja
The river has its source in the San Lucas Tolimán
municipality, and it runs its course until reaching
the Pacific Ocean.
Motagua
Along the Motagua River, which is located in the
Zacapa department, there are dispersed rapids,
surprising geological formations, mineral deposits,
the Ruins of Mixco Viejo, and vestiges of the Spanish
colonial period. Because of its easy access from
Guatemala City, the Motagua is the most popular river
for trips of one or two days between June and
November.
Pasión
The Pasión River begins in the del Atlantic watershed
and then joins the ríos Lacandón, Salinas, and
Chixoy Rivers to later form the Usumacinta River. The
Cancuen, Ceibal, Yaxilan ruins and others are in their
shores, this river is considered the Amazonas of
mesoamerica, a very especial expedition for brave
people..
Chixoy
The Chixoy River, also known río Negro, is part of
the Northern or the Atlantic river basin. It splits
the Cuchumatanes range in two, leaving the
Cuchumatanes on the west, and the Alta Verapaz
mountains on the east.
Usumacinta
Stretching through the El Petén department and
flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, the Usumacinta River
drains a tropical jungle of 16,984 square miles (44,000
sq. km.). Wildlife includes caimans, iguanas, tapirs,
toucans, jaguars, and howler and spider monkeys.
Although calm in general, the river has some rapids and
cascades.
Cahabón
The Cahabón River is situated in eastern Guatemala,
near Lake Izabal. Challenging rapids abound in this
turbulent river. Its canyons, covered in lush
vegetation, provide spectacular contrast with
waterfalls, hot springs, subterranean rivers, caves,
the Quetzal Reserve, and the Ruins of Quiriguá.
Excursions from three to five days can be taken at any
time in the year.
Naranjo
The Naranjo is located in the San Marcos department.
Highly exciting rafting is assured on the rapids of
this river, and in the turbulent waters of the
so-called Hueco Negro (Black Hole). Additionally, the
route offers hot springs, falls, a dense jungle, Maya
ruins in La Democracia and Takalik Abaj , and views of
coffee, sugar cane, and rubber plantations. Trips can
be planned for one or three days from June to
November.
Chiquibul
This river cuts through the exuberant El Petén
Jungle. Its rapids are intermediate, and a trip on the
Chiquibul is very stimulating. Sometimes the rare
white-headed Arpia eagle can be seen flying high in the
limestone canyons overhead. Trips of one, two, and
three days, offered all year, are a chance to swim and
explore trails to the distant Maya ruins: Yaxhá and
Nakún.
Azul
The Azul River is very close to the borders of
Mexico and Belize. In the dry season, blazing a trail
from Tikal takes approximately five hours. Tikal
peaked in the late Preclasic period (250 B.C. to 250
A.D.). |
LAKES
Atitlán
Without a doubt the most alluring physical feature in
the department and one of the best known in Guatemala
is Lake of Atitlán. Three volcanoes - San Pedro,
Atitlán, and Tolimán - are just a part of the
splendid natural features this gorgeous lake has to
showcase it. With a surface area of 48 square miles
(125 sq. km.), the lake sits 5,117 feet (1,560 meters)
above sea level. Panoramic highways, lakeside towns,
beaches, mountains, and volcanoes complement the
beauty of this lake, which offers outstanding
opportunities to fish, sail, water-ski, and enjoy
nature-or to visit the Mayan villages in the area.
Izabal
Izabal is situated in the department of the same name.
This lake is the ideal spot to fish, ski, go diving,
and do all types of water sports; or simply to enjoy
the perfect place to rest, surrounded by wonderful
scenery and cultural sites. The El Paraíso Ranch and
Aguas Calientes falls are located near the lake's
beaches.
Golfete
Surrounded by dense vegetation, the area where the Rio
Dulce widens is named iEl Golfete, and it is almost
considered a lagoon.
Petén Itza
When the Spaniards arrived, the Maya had already been
colonized by the i Itza, Indians of the Toltec-Maya
group that occupied the territory around Lake Petén
Itzá. The lake, surrounded by a virgin land of old
ceibas and mahogany trees, is a great wildlife refuge.
From the Cerro Cahuí Biotope Reserve, the only forest
reserve on the shores of the lake, the animals of the
region (small mammals and birds) can be observed. On
one of the islands sits Flores, the capital of the Petén
department.
Amatitlán
Located 17 miles (27 km.) from Guatemala City on the
inter-oceanic highway is Lake Amatitlán. The lake,
with a surface area of almost six square miles (15
km.), is the physical feature which draws the most
tourists in the Guatemala department. To appreciate
the water and countryside close up, motorboats and
rowboats are available around the shores of Lake
Amatitlán.
Petexbatún
The lake lies in the region of Sayaxché, Petexbatún.
Because the region abounds in lakes, the biodiversity
of its flora and fauna is notable. A dense,
wide-leafed forest of very tall trees and thickets of
various species from the piperaceae, arecaceae,
polidiaceae, and palmae families provide a habitat
thriving with species like jaguars, pumas, margays,
howler monkeys, tapirs, etc. |
VOLCANOES
Agua
Agua Volcano is located south of the city of Antigua.
Agua, at 12,352 feet above sea level (3,765 m.), was
called iHunapú by the Cakchiquel, but after the flood
of September 10, 1541, the Spaniards named it Agua
Volcano (Volcano of Water). Such a current of water
came down from the crater that the city of Ciudad
Vieja was inundated, killing many of the inhabitants,
one of whom was Doña Beatriz de la Cueva, the wife of
Pedro de Alvarado. Santa María de Jesús, in Sacatepéquez,
provides access to the volcano. Agua offers a
beautiful panorama of the Pacific and the Antigua
Valley. There is also a shelter at the top.
Pacaya
Pacaya lies south of Lake Amatitlán, at the border of
the Guatemala and Escuintlá departments. It is 8,364
feet high, or 2,550 meters. For more than 25 years it
has been active, and its changing appearance is due to
constant rock and lava explosions. There is also a
secondary crater called Mackenney Peak which is
continually active. The volcano can be approached from
the town of San Francisco de Sales. Local guides are
available who give tours of the volcano and, if
necessary, carry the equipment. The volcano's main
attraction is the chance it offers to witness volcanic
activity close up.
San Pedro
San Pedro is located to the south of Lake Atitlán, in
Sololá. It rises 9,905 feet above sea level (3,020
m.). San Pedro La Laguna, in Sololá, is the point of
access to the volcano. Guided tours are available. An
unlimited view of Lake Atitlán and neighboring
volcanoes can be had from here.
Santa María
The Santa María lies south of the city of Quetzaltenango.
At 12,372 feet (3,772 m.), this volcano is one of the
hardest in Guatemala to climb, although the panorama
seen from the top is worth the effort. Llanos del
Pinal, near the city of Quetzaltenango, is the point
of departure to the volcano. Pine forests on the sides
of the volcano give way to scrublands and panoramic
views of the Pacific, the Quetzaltenango valley, and
nearby volcanoes at the top. The active Santiaguito
Volcano (8,233 feet, or 2,510 m.) can also be seen,
but because of toxic gases and steam clouds, walking
down to it is not recommendable.
Tajumulco
This volcano is located in Tajumulco, San Marcos.
Tajumulco rises to an elevation of 13,842 feet (4,220
m.) above sea level. The volcano can reached from
Tuichán village, in San Marcos. From Tajumulco, the
highest peak in the nation and in Central America, the
chain of volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean can be seen.
It is advisable to hire a guide for a tour.
Acatenango
West of the city of Antigua, on the Sacatepéquez and
Chimaltenango department border, lies the volcano
named Acatenango. It stands 13,038 feet high (3,975
m.) and has two peaks: Pico Mayor (Highest Peak), with
the aforementioned altitude of 13,038 feet and
Yepocapa, also known as Tres Hermanas or Marías
(Three Sisters or Marias), which is 12,726 feet high
(3,880 meters). Acatenango is the twin of Fuego
Volcano (Volcano of Fire). Jointly, these matching
volcanoes are called La Horqueta. The volcano can be
approached from Concepción Calderas or from
Parcelamiento la Soledad, in Sacatepéquez. Only
Acatenango Volcano has suitable campsites with
panoramic views of Guatemala City and of the valley of
Antigua. Fuego Volcano, which is active, can also be
observed.
Fuego
Fuego is located on the border of the Sacatepéquez
and Chimaltenango departments, west of the city of
Antigua. Fuego Volcano peaks at 12,343 feet (3,763 m.)
above sea level. This currently active volcano is the
twin of Acatenango (13,041 feet, or 3,976 m.).
Together, these two volcanoes are known as La
Horqueta. The volcano can be reached from Concepción
Calderas or Parcelamiento la Soledad, in Sacatepéquez.
No suitable campsites exist here.
Ipala
Ipala is located in the municipality of the same name,
in the Chiquimula department. This volcano is 5,412
feet (1,650 m.) high, and it has a deep green
lagoon in it's crater
also named Ipala lagoon a fantastic place to discover. At the southern end
is a small hill, Cerro Monterrico, with an altitude of
4,215 feet (1,285 m.). The town of Ipala is the
starting point from which to approach the volcano and
is just like going to the old west full of vaqueros.
Suchitán
This volcano lies within the municipalities of de
Santa Catarina Mita and El Progreso in the department
of Jutiapa. The most splendid volcano of the Guatemala
in the waiting for discover range, it rises to a height of 6,698
feet (2,042 m.) above sea level. It has a small cone
to the north, Cerro Mataltepe, which is 6,052 feet
high (1,845 m.).
Tecuamburro
This volcano is located in the municipalities of
Pueblo Nuevo Viñas, Taxisco and Chiquimulilla, in the
Santa Rosa department. Tecuamburro, part of a chain of
volcanoes, is made up of three interconnected hills:
el Cerro Miraflores, at 6,373 feet (1,943 m.); Cerro
Peña Blanca, with an elevation of 5,904 feet (1,800
m.); and the highest point, Cerro La Soledad, at 6,052
feet (1,845 m.) above sea level. On the sides of Cerro
Peña Blanca are small sulfur fumaroles. The climb up
it is recommended for the beauty of its forests. |
ECOLOGICAL
RESERVATION
Maya
Biosphere Reserve
The Maya Biosphere Reserve, on the seventeenth
parallel, covers approximately half of the El Petén
department and is about the size of El Salvador, lies within the municipalities of de
Flores, La Libertad, Melchor de Mencos, San Andrés y
San José, en el departamento de El Petén. It has
international borders with Mexico to the north and
west, and with Belize to the east. The biosphere is
divided into five types of zones: nucleus areas
(national parks and biotope preserves), cultural
areas, multi-use areas, recovering areas, and areas of
reduced use. The flora and fauna are diverse.
Old-growth forests, shrubs, and natural pastures make
up the vegetation. In the rainy season, the río
Escondido forms the largest sweet-water wetlands in
Central America. Because of its size, the Maya
Biosphere Reserve is an important refuge for large
mammals such as white-tailed deer, tapirs, jaguars,
pumas, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys; for smaller
mammals like the coati, raccoon, paca, and countless
rodents and bats; and for migratory and non migratory
birds of prey, both very large ones and smaller ones.
The reserve rests on what was once the location of the
Classic Maya culture, and therefore it has an enormous
amount of highly significant archaeological sites,
like El Mirador, El Zotz, Piedras Negras, Tikal y
Uaxactún. The archaeological sites and zones of the
Maya culture lend historical and cultural weight to
the reserve, and the size of the area allows for the
genetic transmission of species which need a lot of
space to live. Flores, the department capital of El
Petén, is the point of entry. Hotels and all
categories of lodging can be found in Flores, El
Remate, on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá, and inside
Tikal National Park. The Guatemalan Institute of
Tourism, INGUAT, and various nongovernmental
organizations work together to offer food, lodging,
and guided tours at different points of the reserve
(Uaxactún and Cruce dos Aguadas) and in their areas
of reduced use (El Remate, Ixlú). These services are
highly recommended because they offer the unique
experience of close contact with the local communities
and nature.
Sierra de las Minas Biosphere
The Sierra de las Minas Biosphere is located in the
massif of the same name in the East, in the middle of
the departments of El Progreso, Baja Verapaz, Alta
Verapaz, Zacapa and Izabal. It is a mountainous
region, ranging in altitude from 492 feet (150 m.) to
over 9,840 feet (3,000 m.) above sea level. The size
of the rain forest reserve, the largest in the country
and one of the most important in the world, and its
altitude variation allow for the inclusion of both
tropical forests and coniferous forests within it. It
is the principal source of water for the Motagua and
Polochic Rivers, which empty into the Gulf of Honduras
and Lake Izabal, respectively. Some of the trees found
in the Sierra de las Minas are cedars, firs, oaks,
pine trees, and liquidambars. Forest conservation has
permitted large mammals (jaguars, pumas, deer) and
endangered birds like the quetzal and the curassow to
find a home here. Moreover, it is the only place in
Guatemala in which the harpy eagle has been spotted
in the last few years. Within its boundaries are
communities of k'ekchí, pokomchí and ladino. The
nucleus area of the reserve has two cabins with
equipment reserved almost exclusively for scientific
investigators. In Trinidad, near the village of
Albores, there is a small inn which serves meals. A
low tourist impact program is one of the plans in the
works for the biosphere reserve in the near future.
Cerro Cahuí Biotope
El Petén department is on the eastern edge of Lake
Petén Itzá, twenty miles (32 km.) from the city of
Flores. Covering only 650 hectares, this is one of the
smallest reserves in El Petén. One hill found here
has heights from 360 to 985 feet (110 to 300 meters)
above sea level, and the reserve has unique ecological
characteristics due to its proximity to Lake Petén
Itzá. The biotope sustains a rich variety of plants
and animals present in the ecosystems of flooded
areas, old-growth forests, and the lake shore. Because
the area was partially exploited in the past and then
allowed to recover, it is possible to study the
recovery process of a tropical jungle. The biotope has
two nature trails that lead to lookouts from which
Lake Petén Itzá and its eastern basin can be viewed.
A guidebook helps to identify species in the area and
to understand the surrounding environment. There are
restrooms and showers next to the lake as well as
campsites and first-aid stations. In the near future,
a bird-watching program will be set up with binoculars
and guides for hire. In the area surrounding Cerro
Cahuí there are several categories of hotels. A bed
and breakfast option like La Casa de don David in
nearby El Remate is an inexpensive and interesting lodging
possibility.
Chocón Machacas Biotope
The Chocón Machacas Biotope is located in the Izabal
department on the north shore of the Dulce River, in
the area known as El Golfete. Old-growth
forests on dry land, flooded forests, mangrove swamps,
canals, and lagoons lie within its 7,600 hectares. The
biotope encompasses estuary ecosystems which are the
habitat of numerous plant species and aquatic animals.
The red mangrove, the acutus crocodile, the manatee,
and the otter are just some of the most remarkable
species of the area. Particularly beautiful are the
lagoons in the middle of mangrove swamps. Whether from
the village of Río Dulce, Livingston o Puerto
Barrios, water routes provide the only access to this
area which forms a unit with Rio Dulce National Park.
The two places are usually visited together. The
biotope has three nature trails (two of them aquatic),
an information center, campgrounds, and restrooms
above Dulce River. Nearby Rio Dulce village and the
port of Livingston offer hotels and restaurants of
different categories. Declared a nature reserve in
order to save the manatee, an endangered mammal, the
estuary ecosystems here are a vital refuge for marine
life.
Laguna del Tigre-Rio Escondido
Biotope
In the northwest of the Petén department, in the Maya
Biosphere Reserve, there is one of the remotest
preserved areas in Guatemala. Comprising 46,300
hectares of forests and sweet-water wetlands,
vegetation here is diverse and includes forests of
tall timbers, although low-level forests predominate.
Large mammals abound, especially white-tailed deer,
and the flood lands are home to a variety of reptiles
and birds. In the village of El Naranjo there are some
lodging and dining establishments. Camping may be
possible at the administration building, but
authorization is required from the Center of
Conservation Studies (Centro de Estudios
Conservacionistas). Due to the fact that public trails
do not exist yet, water travel in the area is
recommended; boats can be rented in the village of El
Naranjo. Within this biotope the largest sweet-water
wetland region in all of Central America is preserved,
and it gives refuge to a countless number of migratory
and non migratory birds.
Punta de Manabique Biotope
Located in the Izabal department, in the Northeast of
the nation, the biotope is a peninsula that separates
the Amatique Bay and the Gulf of Honduras. Punta de
Manabique has an area of 50,000 hectares, which
includes land and sea. Diverse elements-coastal land,
inland areas, flood lands, fresh water, sea water, and
sea breezes-combine to give the peninsula unique
characteristics. The region is particularly rich in
marine life since it has coast both on the Bay of
Amatique, whose environment is affected by the Dulce
River, and on the Gulf of Honduras, which is
influenced by the Antilles Sea. Endangered species
like the tapir, jaguar, sea turtles, and mangrove
trees all live within this area of considerable
biological diversity. The marsh of the confras, of the
Palmae family, is one of the most unusual ecosystems
in Guatemala and exists only in this region. Bird and
mammal species abound in the inland areas. Sole access
to the biotope is by sea, either from Puerto Barrios
or from Livingston. Although the area has no dining or
lodging establishments yet, the trip through the
Channel of the English and Graciosa Bay, which
includes a swim at the Manabique village beach,
ensures a pleasant day. In Manabique there are small
shops which sell drinks and have public telephones,
and Puerto Barrios and Livingston offer hotels and
restaurants.
San Miguel-La Palotada Biotope
The San Miguel La Palotada Biotope is found next to
Tikal National Park, and it forms part of the Maya
Biosphere Reserve. A dense old-growth forest, which
covers almost the whole area, has unique habitats and
ecosystems. The Palmar Lagoon and other swampy areas
are a sanctuary for many bird and reptile species as
well as for the tapir and other large mammals. The bat
colony in the caves in crags in the central area of
the biotope provides a unique show at dusk when
thousands of these mammals depart in unison to begin
their nightly activities. This phenomenon gave the
area its name: Zotz, which means bat in the majority
of Mayan languages. From the Pyramid of the Devil, the
cresting of the temples of Tikal. The area is
difficult to get to in the rainy season. Campgrounds
and cooking and bathing facilities can be found in the
area. It is advisable to remain within the zones
indicated by the park rangers to avoid getting lost in
the woods.
Mario Dary Rivera Biotope
This biotope, known elsewhere as El Quetzal, is
located in the municipality of Purulhá, in the Baja
Verapaz department. Created with the purpose of
protecting the Quetzal, Guatemala's national bird, the
Mario Dary Rivera Biotope is one of the best-preserved
rain forests in the country. It ranges over an area of
slightly more than 1,000 hectares, and the mountains
here, of up to 7,545 feet (2,300 m.), form the
beginning of the mountain range known as the Sierra de
las Minas. The vegetation is composed of conifers and
wide-leafed trees; in addition, orchids, mosses,
ferns, and bromeliads are abundant. In the early
morning hours, this is one of the easiest places to
watch the quetzal. A walk on the nature trails is
highly educational, and one of the many things which
can be learned about is the water cycle. Of the three
nature trails in the area, one of them is designed for
people with limited mobility. Other conveniences found
here are an information station, a visitor center, a
store, a cafeteria, toilets, showers, cooking
facilities, and a house for investigators. This
timber-covered area is an important source of water
for the Salamá valley.
Monterrico and Hawaii
On the Pacific coast in the Santa Rosa department are
the Monterrico Nature Reserve and the Hawaii National
Park which, although they have different
administrations, form a natural unit and possess the
best-preserved mangrove forest on the Guatemalan
Pacific coast. The Channel of Chiquimulilla, which
crosses through both areas, is a wetland region
providing shelter to migratory and non migratory birds.
Its beauty is rare. The Palmilla Lagoon, close to the
village of Monterrico, is an ideal place to watch
birds. The mangrove forests are a haven for the green
iguana (for which there is a reproduction program) and
for other species of wildlife. For example, the
beaches are nesting areas for two kinds of sea turtle,
the parlama and the baule, especially in the months
from May to September. In the Reserve as well as in
the Park, there are programs which care for and help
these turtles reproduce. Since the Pacific beaches are
of volcanic origin, the sand is a dark gray color
which makes them unusual and the tides are very high
making this a great surfing destiny. The Hawaii National Park is
an important stop for migratory birds, especially
pelicans. In both areas, parts of mangrove forests
remain in good condition, and the programs for sea
turtles have had a positive impact on both species.
San Buenaventura de Atitlán
The San Buenaventura de Atitlán Nature Reserve
occupies half of the San Buenaventura Valley in
Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlán, and it has
a little over 100 hectares of forest. Its purpose is
the conservation of the environment in the Lake Atitlán
Basin. The reserve has achieved the planting of more
than 180,000 trees in the valley of San Buenaventura;
the installation of efficient stoves in neighboring
communities; the recycling of waste; and the
implantation of solar energy and biodigestors.
Currently, there are nature trails with instructive
signposts that, when used in conjunction with the
12-page brochure available in English and Spanish,
help explain the surroundings. There is also a
butterfly garden with over 7,590 cubic yards (5,625
cubic meters) of flying space; a laboratory for pupas
and chrysalises which provides information about the
life cycle of butterflies; more than 2,000 plants; and
approximately 500 butterflies from some 25 native
Guatemalan species. The butterfly garden teaches about
the importance of these insects in nature and explores
aspects of man's influence on their environment. The
handling of butterfly colonies will allow the
reintegration of species in the area. An orchid
garden, located inside the butterfly garden,
presently contains some fifty of the 500 orchid
species in Guatemala. A bird refuge, which now has
temporary visitor trails, will be further developed in
the next two years. In order to feed and protect the
birds, more than six hundred fruit trees and thousands
of native plants with flowers and seeds will be
planted. The refuge will be equipped with elevated
platforms and trails as well as hanging bridges to be
able to enjoy it with minimum disturbance of the
inhabitants. This project is an attempt to attract
migratory and non migratory birds, and at the same
time, create an environment in which visitors and
investigators can observe them without intrusion. The
facilities include a visitor center with public
restrooms, an area of shops and refreshments, open-air
spaces, offices, and parking lots for cars and buses.
Lachuá National Park
In the northern Guatemalan lowlands in the northwest
of the Alta Verapaz department, there is an area of
10,000 hectares of old-growth forest. The
almost-untouched state of the forest has helped to
protect reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians, and
highly valued tree species like the mahogany and
sapodilla. This wooded area, one of the few remaining
in the region, has an extremely fragile karstic soil
originated by the dead of an ancient coral sea.
The area's main attraction is the beauty of the
lagoon, with its incredible blue-turquoise color and a
great variety of fish. Although this circular-shaped
lake has a surface area of less than two square miles,
it goes down as deep as 720 feet. Large mammals like
the tapir and the jaguar live here, as do migratory
and non migratory birds. The park forms an important
ecological corridor to and from the lowlands of the
North. The entrance to the park is San Marcos village,
260 miles (414 km.) from Guatemala City. Facilities
include toilets, bathrooms, camping, and information
centers.
Rio Dulce National Park
The park is located in the Izabal department, between
Lake Izabal and Amatique Bay. One of the first nature
reserves in Guatemala (since 1955), the park's 7,200
hectares embrace aquatic ecosystems and mangrove
estuaries. The canyon at the mouth of the river on the
bay is uniquely beautiful because of its vegetation,
and because it is a haven for many marine birds. This
is habitat for the manatee, an endangered species, as
well as for crocodile of the acutus species. The only
way in is by water, either from the village of Río
Dulce, the municipality of Livingston, or the
department of Barrios. The village of Río Dulce and
the port of Livingston have launches that tour the
river and the canyon. At both locations various
classes of lodging and dining are available. The park
forms a unit with the Chocón Machacas Biotope
Reserve, and visits to the two places are usually
combined.
Tikal National Park
In the north of El Petén, 41 miles (65 km.) from the
city of Flores, Tikal is part of the Maya Biosphere
Reserve. Almost the whole area of the park, (57,600
hectares), is covered with old-growth forests of
greatly varied plant life, including endangered
species like the cedar and the mahogany. Tikal is not
only a refuge for the majority of Guatemalan mammals,
but also one of the easiest spots to observe them
from. Spider monkeys and howler monkeys or zaraguates, are not hidden from the visitor, who with
a little more luck can also see coatis, raccoons, and
white-tailed deer, although encounters with pumas and
jaguars are improbable in areas open to the public.
More than three hundred species of birds have been
studied in the park, ranging from hummingbirds to
enormous birds of prey. Reptiles are also abundant;
especially snakes. Interest in the area centers around
the blending of nature with the archaeological remains
of the ancient city. Tikal was perhaps the most
important Maya urban center in its time. The park is
reached by a forty-mile (65 km.) asphalt highway from
the city of Flores, and small tour buses and other
buses travel the route regularly. The facilities and
services of Tikal are among the best of the reserves.
There are two museums, nature trails, guided tours,
restrooms, campgrounds, hotels, a restaurant, and
souvenir shops. One of the first reserves in
Guatemala, it is the only place in the world named
World Cultural Heritage Site and World Natural
Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Lake Atitlan Area
This area spans 17 municipalities in the Lake Atitlan
basin, in the Sololá department. Lake Atitlan, i the
most beautiful lake in the world, according to Aldous
Huxley, lies here at 5,120 feet (1,562 m.) above sea
level. It has a surface area of 50 square miles (130
km.), and in its basin are three volcanoes:
c000080Atitlán (11,595 feet or 3,535 m. above sea
level); San Pedro (9,906 feet or 3,020 m.
high); and c000080Tolimán (10,342 feet or 3,153 m.).
The cones of these volcanoes shelter native species of
high-scientific value as well as other endangered
species such as the pavo de cacho (horned turkey). Also inhabiting the
cones are species like the trogon and the spider
monkey. The woodlands of the basin consist of forests
of wide-leafed trees, coniferous forests, and mixed
forests. The lake was formed by a volcanic crater
about half a mile deep that collected water and was
filled with sediment. Atitlán is another of the most
culturally diverse regions in Mesoamerica, and the
inhabitants keep their culture alive. Panajachel is
the village with the most services for the visitor. It
has banks, numerous hotels and restaurants of all
kinds, and mail and telegraph services. San Antonio
Palopó, Santiago Atitlán, San Pedro la Laguna, and
San Juan la Laguna have similar services on a smaller
scale. The lake has no visible external drainage,
which makes it the only closed hydrographic basin in
the nation. It is also the nation's second-largest
body of fresh water after Lake Izabal.
Cuchumatanes Area
Lying mainly in the Huehuetenango department, a small
part of the Cuchumatanes area extends to El Quiché.
Although it has yet to be officially declared, by law
this is a specially reserved area. Within its
approximately 350,000 hectares lies the highest massif
in Central America which bestows great natural beauty
upon the area. The latitude, altitude, coniferous
forests, and natural pasturelands here form Andean
ecosystems with native species that exist only in this
part of the continent. At the same time, the Sierra de
Los Cuchumatanes is a region of significant cultural
diversity whose four groups of Mayan peoples maintain
their traditional ways of life. The city of
Huehuetenango has a variety of hotels and restaurants
as well as telephones, mail service, telegraphs, and
banks. Scenery and ecosystems exist here which are
unique in Central America. |
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